A packed day of live entertainment featuring...
| 12.10pm |
The Rough Diamonds |
| 12.55pm |
Chris E Thomas |
| 1.30pm |
Beccy Cole |
| 2.05pm |
Luke O'Shea |
| 2.50pm |
Dear Orphans |
| 3.35pm |
Aleyce Simmonds |
| 4.20pm |
Tori Darke |
| 5.05pm |
Racz 'n Waters |
| 5.50pm |
Gemma Luxton |
| 6.35pm |
Dianna Corcoran |
| 7.20pm |
Victoria Baillie |
| 8.00pm |
Close |
The Rough Diamonds
Contemporary country singer/songwriters, comprised of sisters Cec, Lou and Em. Together they offer strong vocal harmonies, guitar, bass, congitas and percussion. Cec and Em started the group in 2007 and that same year they released their debut acoustic EP titled Nights Up On The River, which is a collection of seven original tracks. In 2008 Lou joined, adding an extra dimension to the sound.
Each year the girls choose a different charity to support, via donations and spreading awareness. This year their chosen group is the Autism & Asperges Support Group Inc. They will donate 20 per cent of all merchandise sales throughout the year to the cause, while helping to raise awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorders.
www.theroughdiamonds.com.au
Beccy Cole & Chris E Thomas
7 time Golden Guitar winner Beccy Cole needs no introduction. Considered one of Australia's most successful female country musicians, Beccy continues to dazzle via her live shows and recordings, three of which are gold. In recent times Beccy has gained great success touring with friends Sara Storer and Gina Jeffreys under the banner, The Songbirds. She has also started a new live touring revue with two other friends, Kate Ballantyne and Chris E Thomas as The Sheila Sessions, which serves as a tribute to women in song.
Beccy is currently putting the finishing touches on her sixth album, which is due for release later this year.
Chris E Thomas and The Free Range
Chris E Thomas is perhaps best known for her work as a live player for an impressive list of Aussie performers, including Richard Clapton, Brian Cadd, Tina Arena and Adam Brand. But she is much more than that, with an impressive voice of her own and great songwriting ability. This year she is focusing on her own career with her band The Free Range, with the release of their new EP, One For The Roadie, written for good friend Norm Sweeney, who passed from cancer last year.
www.beccycole.com
www.chrisethomas.com
Racz N Waters
Comprising sisters Ingrid and Tahlia Racz and Karen-Anne Waters, this trio combines vocal harmonies and sweet acoustic melodies to create an interesting blend of folk/country.
Formed in 2007, they have recorded an EP and full length album, Nothing Borrowed (produced by Karl Broadie). They are known for their three part harmonies and songs from the heart.
www.myspace.com/raczandwaters
Tori Darke
Following on from a huge 2009 in which she released her debut EP, Camden's Tori Darke has returned from finalist spots in the 2010 Toyota Star Maker and Telstra Road to Tamworth competitions at the annual country music festival held earlier this month. While she missed out on the top prizes in those competitions, she did return with a Gold Medalion Award as NSW New Talent of the Year, chosen by the World Alliance for Radio Presenters.
A graduate of the Camerata School of Country Music and already an accomplished writer, Tori plans to visit Nashville this year to songwrite in preparation for her debut full length release.
www.toridarke.com
Dear Orphans
Best described as practitioners of an acoustic roots style of bluegrass country music, Dear Orphans is the labour of love of Nick Payne and Lyn Taylor. Their music is both stirring and extremely listenable, ranging from sweet lullabies to heartfelt rockers (yes it is possbile, even without drums).
Inspired by artists such as Gillian Welch and Ryan Adams, they formed in 2006.
www.myspace.com/theorphansau
Aleyce Simmonds
Young talent Aleyce Simmonds is expecting big things from 2010. She is currently preparing to release her highly anticipated debut full length CD, which will showcase her contemporary blend of country music. Fans were treated to a taste of things to come late last year with the release of the single, The Keeper.
Aleyce's material is extremely personal and has won her fans around the country. In 2005 her song Mighty Mighty Love reached the number one spot on cable country network CMC and in fact was deemed the most requested clip at the time.
www.aleycesimmonds.com
Gemma Luxton
A practitioner of country with a rocking edge, Gemma Luxton started making big waves in 2009 with the release of her debut album Part Of The Crowd. Singles Party and Girl's World received high rotation on cable country music network CMC and she was able to secure several prime gigs throughout the year, including the main stage at the annual Gympie Muster.
Gemma is all about having a good time and taking her audiences with her.
www.gemmaluxton.com
Dianna Corcoran
Two time Golden Guitar winner Dianna Corcoran has recently released her third album, Keep Breathing, to industry acclaim. One of the finest young female performers in the country, Dianna boasts a vocal range many of her contemporaries could only dream to possess.
Dianna offers a down to earth approach to performance, something which has endeared her to fans far and wide.
www.diannacorcoran.com
Luke O'Shea
Whether as a solo performer or with his band Medicine Wheel, Luke O'Shea never fails to impress. His latest album Prodigal Son (his third), has earned Luke praise among fans and industry pundits, and it was little surprise when he claimed the People's Choice Award during the 2009 Golden Saddles at Rooty Hill RSL. Both the title track and songs Pride Of Erin and How Well Have You Loved have introduced Luke to a new legion of converts, via extensive radio play.
Definitely one of the finest male vocal talents in the scene and one heck of a nice bloke.
www.lukeoshea.com
Victoria Baillie
Vibrant young performer Victoria Baillie has started 2010 with a bang, winning the Maton New Talent of the Year Golden Guitar at the recent CMAA Country Music Awards at Tamworth. This follows on from a wonderful 2009 for the contemporary songstress, who started the year with the release of her debut full length album Start Brand New. The album has spawned singles Melt, Make Me and Stupid, each of which have been heavily rotated on radio and cable country television network CMC.
Victoria is at home working the crowd and is regarding as one of the most refreshing of the new acts to emerge in recent years.
www.victoriabaillie.com